When Joaquin returned home, the familiar scent of a home-cooked meal greeted him.
His elder sister stood by the stove, humming softly as she ladled soup into bowls.
For a moment, Joaquin felt a pang of guilt.
She worked so hard to keep everything together, yet here he was, weighed down by betrayals and battles he hadn’t even begun to share.
“You’re just in time,” she said, her voice warm. “Dinner’s ready!”
At the dinner table, Joaquin forced himself to act normal.
He focused on eating, avoiding eye contact with his sister.
“Is something bothering you?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
Joaquin hesitated. “No, just tired from work.”
She seemed unconvinced but didn’t press further.
Instead, she brought up a topic that made Joaquin’s chest tighten.
“How’s Mikyla? She hadn’t come to our place for a while.”
Joaquin’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, but he managed to keep his voice steady.
“She’s been busy with work.”
His sister’s expression softened. “That’s understandable. I was thinking—maybe we should meet her parents soon to discuss the wedding.”
Joaquin froze.
The idea of pretending everything was fine with Mikyla, especially after her betrayal, made his stomach churn.
But he couldn’t bear to disappoint his sister, not when she looked so hopeful.
“Sure,” he said, the word feeling like sandpaper on his tongue.
After dinner, Joaquin retreated to his room, unable to shake the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior.
The memory of Andrew’s taunts and Mikyla’s betrayal replayed in his mind like a broken record. He swore silently to himself: One day, she’ll regret it. She’ll see what she threw away.
Joaquin couldn’t sleep that night. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the floor, his mind turning to the legacy he had inherited.
The voice of his ancestor echoed faintly in his memory, urging him to hone the skills passed down through generations.
He took a deep breath, he focused inward, tapping into the reservoir of knowledge he had unlocked.
Techniques in natural medicine, Western medical practices, and martial arts began to surface in his mind.
It felt like unlocking doors he hadn’t even known existed. Hours passed as he practiced simple movements and mental exercises, each one sharpening his clarity and control.
The next morning, Joaquin woke with a newfound sense of energy. His body felt lighter, his mind clearer.
He was ready to face the hospital, even if it meant enduring the disdain of his colleagues.
Joaquin quickly realized his new role wasn’t going to be easy as he reported to the caregiving station.
Whispers floated around him, snide remarks about his demotion and the rumors spread by Andrew.
He tried to ignore them and focused on his tasks instead.
“Joaquin,” the head nurse called out, her tone was brisk. “We’ve got a situation in Room A01. The patient has gone through four caregivers in less than a week. You’re up next.”
Joaquin frowned. “What’s the issue?”
“Difficult temperament,” she replied with a shrug. “Let’s see if you can handle it.”
Taking a deep breath, Joaquin headed to Room A01. As he approached, he could hear the muffled sound of a TV playing in the background. When he stepped inside, he stopped short.
The patient wasn’t what he expected.
A woman—no older than her late twenties—sat on the bed, her posture relaxed but commanding. Her long legs were crossed, accentuating her confident demeanor. Her skin was flawless, glowing with an almost ethereal quality.
She wore a silk robe that clung to her figure, and her sharp eyes locked onto Joaquin the moment he entered.
“Who are you?” she asked, her voice cool but edged with curiosity.
“I’m Joaquin,” he said, holding up his caregiver ID. “I’ll be taking care of you.”
She leaned forward, examining his ID with a raised brow. “Taking care of me? That’s ambitious.”
Joaquin shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. Her confidence was disarming, and there was a sharpness to her tone that hinted she wasn’t easily impressed.
As he prepared to introduce himself further, her lips curled into a faint smirk. “You were staring at me just now,” she said, her voice teasing.
Joaquin felt his face heat up. “I wasn’t—”
“Yes, you were,” she interrupted, her smirk widening. “What caught your eye? My legs? My skin? Or something else?”
Her boldness caught him off guard, and he struggled to find the right words. “I—uh, I didn’t mean to stare. I was just...”
“Looking,” she finished for him, tilting her head. “Well, what did you think?”
Joaquin blinked, unsure how to respond.
Her provocative tone was laced with flirtation, but there was also an edge of amusement as if she enjoyed watching him squirm.
He cleared his throat, deciding to steer the conversation back to professionalism. “I’m here to ensure you’re comfortable and to assist with your recovery. If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”
The woman chuckled softly, leaning back against the pillows. “You’re interesting, Joaquin. Most caregivers either quit or try to boss me around. But you... you’re different.”
Joaquin wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a warning, but he decided to remain cautious. “I’m here to do my job.”
“Good,” she said, her tone playful but firm. “Then let’s see if you can last longer than the others.”

Latest Chapter
Chapter 246: A Conversation Between Blood
Joaquin watched the man in front of him in silence. Javier Villareal sat comfortably in a single chair, his gaze locked onto Joaquin like he was reading him—measuring him.This man was his father. Javier Villareal.And this wasn’t their first meeting.Javier cleared his throat. “So, I guess… this is a bit awkward. I didn’t expect you to bring him here already, Jasmine,” he said, tone calm but deliberate.Joaquin’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”Jasmine shook her head. “I have my reasons. And besides, you’ve been asking about him for a while now. He deserves to know
Chapter 245: Going
“Joaquin, are you really sure about this?” Jasmine asked, her voice laced with worry. “What if you’re just acting on impulse? Please, think this through first.”Joaquin straightened his shirt and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His jaw was tense, his gaze unflinching.“I have to do this, Jasmine. If the Villareals really have ties to the Black Viper Society, I need to know. More than that, I need to meet our other brother,” he said firmly.Jasmine let out a heavy sigh. She understood her brother’s resolve, but it didn’t ease the gnawing worry in her chest. Especially now that he was planning to face their father—a man she hadn’t seen in years.“Then I’m coming with you,” she decla
Chapter 244: Who was he?
When Joaquin first discovered the power within the ring passed down to him, he felt nothing but awe. It made him feel special, chosen by his ancestors to inherit something sacred.But now… that feeling had changed.He twisted the ring around his middle finger with his thumb, absentmindedly, as the car carried him home.His thoughts were adrift again.If the Villareals truly had ties to the Black Viper Society… when did it start? Was it just his father who was involved? Or did it go even further, back to the roots of their bloodline?Was that why they possessed such secret powers?Joaquin’s chest tightened just thinking about what kind of family he might have co
Chapter 243: One of them
Joaquin returned to the temple in silence. His mind churned, restless—unable to shake the face of the man he had fought.That man… was his brother.And maybe he was the same voice George Beckham once spoke to in secret, back when the Villareals began to move their pawns across the board.Rick walked beside him, his brows furrowed. “You’ve been quiet since the fight. What did your enemy say to you?”Joaquin let out a slow breath. “There’s something you and Mr. Suarez need to know.”Rick’s expression shifted. He could feel the weight in Joaquin’s voice—this wasn’t just aftermath. Joaquin wasn’t just shaken… he was changed.Rick nodded. “Let’s go directly to him.”
Chapter 242:The Dragon Gate Trap
The night air was heavy with mist as Joaquin approached the ancient arch of the Dragon Gate.Perched at the edge of the northern cliffs, the structure stood half-swallowed by vines and time—a forgotten place that once marked the border between warrior clans before peace had been brokered by the Tiger Council.Now, its silence thrummed with tension—as if the earth itself remembered the bloodshed.Joaquin wore no armor. Only the jade amulet around his neck and a simple dark cloak. His steps were soundless, his aura coiled and subdued, ready.He was alone, at least in appearance.Behind him, hidden in the shadows along the ridge, Rick crouched with two of Miguel Suarez’s most trusted scouts. They weren’t
Chapter 241: The Order
Joaquin stood silently beneath one of the archways, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the faint scar left by the Black Viper Society.The viper symbol had been removed, but its presence still lingered. He didn’t need to touch the stone to feel the intensity of murder that had taken place here, and they had erred gravely. The victim hadn’t been just another challenger, but a member of the Council.Their first move had been made. Now that his Flame had appeared, their adversary would not stop.“Joaquin.”He paused mid-thought as he heard a voice behind him. Turning, he saw Rick entering the chamber.“The Council’s requesting you.”Joaq
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